The Indian government has formally rejected an agreement that allowed international pulse shippers to treat for pests offshore after their goods have been exported – a decision that could put Canada’s number one pulse market in jeopardy.

Sources tell iPolitics the official rejection of a six-month exemption was issued Wednesday afternoon and applies to all exporting countries, including Canada.

Canadian pulse shipments to India have effectively stopped amid industry fears they are about to lose their number one export market.

The federal government is aware of the Indian decision, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, the parliamentary secretary for trade, told iPolitics Thursday. She assured the file was being treated as a “top priority.”